Leo Politi"s papers focus on his work as an illustrator of children's books. The collection contains production material for eleven titles published between 1944 and 1957. Production materials include illustrations and studies done in a variety of media, a proof, and dummies. There is also an illustration done for an unpublished textbook. The collection also contains some miscellaneous artwork with one item inscribed for Dr. Irvin Kerlan and two with notes to Dr. Kerlan.

Collection is open for researchers with no restrictions. Registration with the collection is required.

Copyright:

This collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.

Arrangement

Angelo, the Naughty One, 1944

At the Palace Gates, 1949

Boat For Peppe, 1950

Building Our Western Hemishere, unpublished

Butterflies Come, 1957

Columbus Story, 1955

Little Leo, 1951

Looking-For-Something: the Story Of a Stray Burro Of Ecuador, 1952

Magic Money, 1950

Miscellaneous Art,

Mission Bell, 1953

Stories From the Americas, 1944

Three Miracles, 1946

Biographical Sketch

Leo Politi was born November 21, 1908 in Fresno, California. He went to live in Brani, Italy in 1915, his mother's family home. He studied art at the National Art Institute in Mona, Italy. In 1931, he returned to California and settled in Los Angeles, living in the Mexican section of the city, a setting that would later form the backdrop of several of his books. In 1938, Leo Politi wrote and illstrated his first book for children, Little Pancho , the story of a little Mexican boy. In 1950, he received the Caldecott Medal for Song Of the Swallow , which tells the story of the kindness of the Fathers of the San Juan Capistrano Mission and the coming of spring. He also received Caldecott Honor citations for Pedro, the Angel Of Olvera Street in 1947 and Juanita in 1949. Many of his works have regional settings but his themes such as the importance of family and tradition are universal. His pictures have a sense of rhythm and reflect his love of folk art and color. Leo Politi died on March 24, 1996 in Los Angeles, California.
Biographical Sources:
Something About the Author , vol. 47, p. 172-182
Something About the Author , vol. 88, p.163

Collection Scope and Content Note

The collection contains production material for eleven titles published between 1944 and 1957. The production materials include illustrations done in tempera and watercolor, studies done in tempera, ink, watercolor, and a proof and dummies. There is also a watercolor illustration done for an unpublished textbook. The collection also contains some miscellaneous artwork done in a variety of media.

Subject Terms

Indexing Terms

The collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Politi, Leo

Collection Contents

Location

Title

Angelo, the Naughty One
1944Note by Helen Garrett
New York: Viking, 1944

Box M. C. 975

Tempera illustration
(1 p.) Box M. C. 975

At the Palace Gates
1949Note by Helen Rand Parish
New York: Viking, 1949